Vacuum adiabatic body and refrigerator

ABSTRACT

A vacuum adiabatic body includes: a first plate member defining at least one portion of a wall for a first space; a second plate member defining at least one portion of a wall for a second space having a different temperature from the first space; a sealing part sealing the first plate member and the second plate member to provide a third space that has a temperature between the temperature of the first space and the temperature of the second space and is in a vacuum state; a supporting unit maintaining the third space; a heat resistance unit for decreasing a heat transfer amount between the first plate member and the second plate member; and an exhaust port through which a gas in the third space is exhausted, wherein the third space includes a first vacuum space part and a second vacuum space part having a lower height than the first vacuum space part, and an addition mounting part having parts mounted therein is provided at an outside of the second vacuum space part.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation application of U.S. National Stageapplication Ser. No. 15/749,156, filed Jan. 31, 2018 ofPCT/KR2016/008465, filed Aug. 1, 2016, which claims priority to KoreanPatent Application No. 10-2015-0109720, filed Aug. 3, 2015, whose entiredisclosures are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

The present disclosure relates to a vacuum adiabatic body and arefrigerator.

2. Background

A vacuum adiabatic body is a product for suppressing heat transfer byvacuumizing the interior of a body thereof. The vacuum adiabatic bodycan reduce heat transfer by convection and conduction, and hence isapplied to heating apparatuses and refrigerating apparatuses. In atypical adiabatic method applied to a refrigerator, although it isdifferently applied in refrigeration and freezing, a foam urethaneadiabatic wall having a thickness of about 30 cm or more is generallyprovided. However, the internal volume of the refrigerator is thereforereduced.

In order to increase the internal volume of a refrigerator, there is anattempt to apply a vacuum adiabatic body to the refrigerator.

First, Korean Patent No. 10-0343719 (Reference Document 1) of thepresent applicant has been disclosed. According to Reference Document 1,there is disclosed a method in which a vacuum adiabatic panel isprepared and then built in walls of a refrigerator, and the exterior ofthe vacuum adiabatic panel is finished with a separate molding asStyrofoam (polystyrene). According to the method, additional foaming isnot required, and the adiabatic performance of the refrigerator isimproved. However, manufacturing cost is increased, and a manufacturingmethod is complicated. As another example, a technique of providingwalls using a vacuum adiabatic material and additionally providingadiabatic walls using a foam filling material has been disclosed inKorean Patent Publication No. 10-2015-0012712 (Reference Document 2).According to Reference Document 2, manufacturing cost is increased, anda manufacturing method is complicated.

As another example, there is an attempt to manufacture all walls of arefrigerator using a vacuum adiabatic body that is a single product. Forexample, a technique of providing an adiabatic structure of arefrigerator to be in a vacuum state has been disclosed in U.S. PatentLaid-Open Publication No. US 2004/0226956 A1 (Reference Document 3).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

However, it is difficult to obtain an adiabatic effect of a practicallevel by providing the walls of the refrigerator to be in a sufficientvacuum state. Specifically, it is difficult to prevent heat transfer ata contact portion between external and internal cases having differenttemperatures. Further, it is difficult to maintain a stable vacuumstate. Furthermore, it is difficult to prevent deformation of the casesdue to a sound pressure in the vacuum state. Due to these problems, thetechnique of Reference Document 3 is limited to cryogenic refrigeratingapparatuses, and is not applied to refrigerating apparatuses used ingeneral households.

Embodiments provide a vacuum adiabatic body and a refrigerator, whichcan obtain a sufficient adiabatic effect in a vacuum state and beapplied commercially.

In one embodiment, a vacuum adiabatic body includes: a first platemember defining at least one portion of a wall for a first space; asecond plate member defining at least one portion of a wall for a secondspace having a different temperature from the first space; a sealingpart sealing the first plate member and the second plate member toprovide a third space that has a temperature between the temperature ofthe first space and the temperature of the second space and is in avacuum state; a supporting unit maintaining the third space; a heatresistance unit for decreasing a heat transfer amount between the firstplate member and the second plate member; and an exhaust port throughwhich a gas in the third space is exhausted, wherein the third spaceincludes a first and a second vacuum space part having a lower heightthan the first vacuum space part, and an addition mounting part havingparts mounted therein is provided at an outside of the second vacuumspace part.

The second vacuum space part may be provided at an edge portion of thethird space. At least the exhaust port may be located in the additionmounting part. A height of the first vacuum space part may be 5 to 20times of that of the second vacuum space part. The height of the firstvacuum space part may be 10 to 20 mm, and the height of the secondvacuum space part may be 1 to 2 mm.

The supporting unit may include at least one bar interposed between thefirst plate member and the second plate member. The at least one bar mayinclude at least one first bar provided in the first vacuum space part;and at least one second bar provided in the second vacuum space part,the at least one second bar having a lower height than the at least onefirst bar. The vacuum adiabatic body may further include a side frameproviding at least one partial wall of the second vacuum space part. Thebar may contact the side frame. The bar may be provided to at least onesupport plate to extend in a horizontal direction with respect to thefirst plate member and the second plate member.

In another embodiment, a vacuum adiabatic body includes: a first platemember defining at least one portion of a wall for a first space; asecond plate member defining at least one portion of a wall for a secondspace having a different temperature from the first space; a sealingpart sealing the first plate member and the second plate member toprovide a third space that has a temperature between the temperature ofthe first space and the temperature of the second space and is in avacuum state; a supporting unit maintaining the third space; a heatresistance unit for decreasing a heat transfer amount between the firstplate member and the second plate member; and an exhaust port throughwhich a gas in the third space is exhausted, wherein, in heat transferbetween the first and second plate members, solid conduction heat isgreater than radiation transfer heat, and gas conduction heat issmallest, and the third space includes a first vacuum space part and asecond vacuum space part having a lower height than the first vacuumspace part.

The heat resistance unit may include a conductive resistance sheetcapable of resisting heat conduction flowing along a wall for the thirdspace. The conductive resistance sheet may provide, together with eachof the first and second plate members, at least one partial outer wallof the first vacuum space part. The heat resistance unit may include atleast one radiation resistance sheet provided in a plate shape insidethe third space or may include a porous material to resist radiationheat transfer between the second plate member and the first plate memberinside the third space. A vacuum degree of the third space may be equalto or greater than 1.8×10−6 Torr and equal to or smaller than 2.65×10−1Torr. The sealing part may include a welding part.

In still another embodiment, a refrigerator includes: a main bodyprovided with an internal space in which storage goods are stored; and adoor provided to open/close the main body from an external space,wherein, in order to supply a refrigerant into the main body, therefrigerator includes: a compressor for compressing the refrigerant; acondenser for condensing the compressed refrigerant; an expander forexpanding the condensed refrigerant; and an evaporator for evaporatingthe expanded refrigerant to take heat, wherein at least one of the mainbody and the door includes a vacuum adiabatic body, wherein the vacuumadiabatic body includes: a first plate member defining at least oneportion of a wall for the internal space; a second plate member definingat least one portion of a wall for the external space; a sealing partsealing the first plate member and the second plate member to provide avacuum space part that has a temperature between a temperature of theinternal space and a temperature of the external space and is in avacuum state; a supporting unit maintaining the vacuum space part; aheat resistance unit for decreasing a heat transfer amount between thefirst plate member and the second plate member; and an exhaust portthrough which a gas in the vacuum space part is exhausted, wherein thevacuum space part includes a first vacuum space part and a second vacuumspace part having a lower height than the first vacuum space part toallow parts necessary for operations of the door to be mounted therein.

The second vacuum space part may be provided at an edge portion of thevacuum space part. A height of the first vacuum space part may be 5 to20 times of that of the second vacuum space part. The supporting unitmay include at least two bars having different heights. The exhaust portmay be mounted at an outside of the second vacuum space part. The secondvacuum space part may extend up to an outermost side of the vacuumadiabatic body.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to obtain asufficient vacuum adiabatic effect. According to the present disclosure,it is possible to solve a problem of space utilization, caused when thevacuum adiabatic body is applied. According to the present disclosure,it is possible to easily secure an additional space for mounting partstherein without any damage of a vacuum space.

The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanyingdrawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent fromthe description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the presentdisclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to anembodiment.

FIG. 2 is a view schematically showing a vacuum adiabatic body used in amain body and a door of the refrigerator.

FIG. 3 is a view showing various embodiments of an internalconfiguration of a vacuum space part.

FIG. 4 is a view showing various embodiments of conductive resistancesheets and peripheral parts thereof.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating in detail a vacuum adiabatic bodyaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a view a correlation between a supporting unit and a firstplate member, which illustrates any one edge portion.

FIG. 7 is a view showing an experimental result obtained by comparingthe vacuum adiabatic body provided in FIG. 5 and a vacuum adiabatic bodyprovided in FIG. 11.

FIG. 8 illustrates graphs showing changes in adiabatic performance andchanges in gas conductivity with respect to vacuum pressures by applyinga simulation.

FIG. 9 illustrates graphs obtained by observing, over time and pressure,a process of exhausting the interior of the vacuum adiabatic body when asupporting unit is used.

FIG. 10 illustrates graphs obtained by comparing vacuum pressures andgas conductivities.

FIG. 11 illustrates a comparative example of the vacuum adiabatic body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments,reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof,and in which is shown by way of illustration specific preferredembodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodimentsare described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art topractice the disclosure, and it is understood that other embodiments maybe utilized and that logical structural, mechanical, electrical, andchemical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scopeof the disclosure. To avoid detail not necessary to enable those skilledin the art to practice the disclosure, the description may omit certaininformation known to those skilled in the art. The following detaileddescription is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

In the following description, the term ‘vacuum pressure’ means a certainpressure state lower than atmospheric pressure. In addition, theexpression that a vacuum degree of A is higher than that of B means thata vacuum pressure of A is lower than that of B.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to anembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, the refrigerator 1 includes a main body 2 providedwith a cavity 9 capable of storing storage goods and a door 3 providedto open/close the main body 2. The door 3 may be rotatably or movablydisposed to open/close the cavity 9. The cavity 9 may provide at leastone of a refrigerating chamber and a freezing chamber.

Parts constituting a freezing cycle may include those in which cold airis supplied into the cavity 9. Specifically, the parts include acompressor 4 for compressing a refrigerant, a condenser 5 for condensingthe compressed refrigerant, an expander 6 for expanding the condensedrefrigerant, and an evaporator 7 for evaporating the expandedrefrigerant to take heat. As a typical structure, a fan may be installedat a position adjacent to the evaporator 7, and a fluid blown from thefan may pass through the evaporator 7 and then be blown into the cavity9. A freezing load is controlled by adjusting the blowing amount andblowing direction by the fan, adjusting the amount of a circulatedrefrigerant, or adjusting the compression rate of the compressor, sothat it is possible to control a refrigerating space or a freezingspace.

FIG. 2 is a view schematically showing a vacuum adiabatic body used inthe main body and the door of the refrigerator. In FIG. 2, a mainbody-side vacuum adiabatic body is illustrated in a state in which topand side walls are removed, and a door-side vacuum adiabatic body isillustrated in a state in which a portion of a front wall is removed. Inaddition, sections of portions at conductive resistance sheets areprovided are schematically illustrated for convenience of understanding.

Referring to FIG. 2, the vacuum adiabatic body includes a first platemember (or first plate) 10 for providing a wall of a low-temperaturespace, a second plate member (or second plate) 20 for providing a wallof a high-temperature space, a vacuum space part (or vacuum space orcavity) 50 defined as a gap part (or gap, space) between the first andsecond plate members 10 and 20. Also, the vacuum adiabatic body includesthe conductive resistance sheets 60 and 63 for preventing heatconduction between the first and second plate members 10 and 20. Asealing part (or seal, sealing joint) 61 for sealing the first andsecond plate members 10 and 20 is provided such that the vacuum spacepart (or vacuum space, cavity) 50 is in a sealing state. When the vacuumadiabatic body is applied to a refrigerating or heating cabinet, thefirst plate member 10 may be referred to as an inner case, and thesecond plate member 20 may be referred to as an outer case. A machinechamber 8 in which parts providing a freezing cycle are accommodated isplaced at a lower rear side of the main body-side vacuum adiabatic body,and an exhaust port 40 for forming a vacuum state by exhausting air inthe vacuum space part 50 is provided at any one side of the vacuumadiabatic body. In addition, a pipeline 64 passing through the vacuumspace part 50 may be further installed so as to install a defrostingwater line and electric lines.

The first plate member 10 may define at least one portion of a wall fora first space provided thereto. The second plate member 20 may define atleast one portion of a wall for a second space provided thereto. Thefirst space and the second space may be defined as spaces havingdifferent temperatures. Here, the wall for each space may serve as notonly a wall directly contacting the space but also a wall not contactingthe space. For example, the vacuum adiabatic body of the embodiment mayalso be applied to a product further having a separate wall contactingeach space.

Factors of heat transfer, which cause loss of the adiabatic effect ofthe vacuum adiabatic body, are heat conduction between the first andsecond plate members 10 and 20, heat radiation between the first andsecond plate members 10 and 20, and gas conduction of the vacuum spacepart 50.

Hereinafter, a heat resistance unit provided to reduce adiabatic lossrelated to the factors of the heat transfer will be provided. The heatresistance unit may also be referred to as a thermal insulator, or thelike, that provides one or more structural means configured to providethermal insulation. Meanwhile, the vacuum adiabatic body and therefrigerator of the embodiment do not exclude that another adiabaticmeans is further provided to at least one side of the vacuum adiabaticbody. Therefore, an adiabatic means using foaming or the like may befurther provided to another side of the vacuum adiabatic body.

FIG. 3 is a view showing various embodiments of an internalconfiguration of the vacuum space part.

First, referring to FIG. 3a , the vacuum space part 50 is provided in athird space having a different pressure from the first and secondspaces, preferably, a vacuum state, thereby reducing adiabatic loss. Thethird space may be provided at a temperature between the temperature ofthe first space and the temperature of the second space. Since the thirdspace is provided as a space in the vacuum state, the first and secondplate members 10 and 20 receive a force contracting in a direction inwhich they approach each other due to a force corresponding to apressure difference between the first and second spaces. Therefore, thevacuum space part 50 may be deformed in a direction in which it isreduced. In this case, adiabatic loss may be caused due to an increasein amount of heat radiation, caused by the contraction of the vacuumspace part 50, and an increase in amount of heat conduction, caused bycontact between the plate members 10 and 20.

A supporting unit (or support) 30 may be provided to reduce thedeformation of the vacuum space part 50. The supporting unit 30 includesbars 31. The bars 31 may extend in a direction substantially vertical tothe first and second plate members 10 and 20 so as to support a distancebetween the first and second plate members 10 and 20. A support plate 35may be additionally provided to at least one end of the bar 31. Thesupport plate 35 connects at least two bars 31 to each other, and mayextend in a direction horizontal to the first and second plate members10 and 20. The support plate 35 may be provided in a plate shape, or maybe provided in a lattice shape such that its area contacting the firstor second plate member 10 or 20 is decreased, thereby reducing heattransfer. The bars 31 and the support plate 35 are fixed to each otherat at least one portion, to be inserted together between the first andsecond plate members 10 and 20. The support plate 35 contacts at leastone of the first and second plate members 10 and 20, thereby preventingdeformation of the first and second plate members 10 and 20. Inaddition, based on the extending direction of the bars 31, a totalsectional area of the support plate 35 is provided to be greater thanthat of the bars 31, so that heat transferred through the bars 31 can bediffused through the support plate 35.

A material of the supporting unit 30 may include a resin selected fromthe group consisting of PC, glass fiber PC, low outgassing PC, PPS, andLCP so as to obtain high compressive strength, low outgassing and waterabsorptance, low thermal conductivity, high compressive strength at hightemperature, and excellent machinability.

A radiation resistance sheet 32 for reducing heat radiation between thefirst and second plate members 10 and 20 through the vacuum space part50 will be described. The first and second plate members 10 and 20 maybe made of a stainless material capable of preventing corrosion andproviding a sufficient strength. The stainless material has a relativelyhigh emissivity of 0.16, and hence a large amount of radiation heat maybe transferred. In addition, the supporting unit 30 made of the resinhas a lower emissivity than the plate members, and is not entirelyprovided to inner surfaces of the first and second plate members 10 and20. Hence, the supporting unit 30 does not have great influence onradiation heat. Therefore, the radiation resistance sheet 32 may beprovided in a plate shape over a majority of the area of the vacuumspace part 50 so as to concentrate on reduction of radiation heattransferred between the first and second plate members 10 and 20. Aproduct having a low emissivity may be preferably used as the materialof the radiation resistance sheet 32. In an embodiment, an aluminum foilhaving an emissivity of 0.02 may be used as the radiation resistancesheet 32. Since the transfer of radiation heat cannot be sufficientlyblocked using one radiation resistance sheet, at least two radiationresistance sheets 32 may be provided at a certain distance so as not tocontact each other. In addition, at least one radiation resistance sheetmay be provided in a state in which it contacts the inner surface of thefirst or second plate member 10 or 20.

Referring to FIG. 3b , the distance between the plate members ismaintained by the supporting unit 30, and a porous material 33 may befilled in the vacuum space part 50. The porous material 33 may have ahigher emissivity than the stainless material of the first and secondplate members 10 and 20. However, since the porous material 33 is filledin the vacuum space part 50, the porous material 33 has a highefficiency for resisting the radiation heat transfer.

In this embodiment, the vacuum adiabatic body can be manufacturedwithout using the radiation resistance sheet 32.

Referring to FIG. 3c , the supporting unit 30 maintaining the vacuumspace part 50 is not provided. Instead of the supporting unit 30, theporous material 33 is provided in a state in which it is surrounded by afilm 34. In this case, the porous material 33 may be provided in a statein which it is compressed so as to maintain the gap of the vacuum spacepart 50. The film 34 is made of, for example, a PE material, and may beprovided in a state in which holes are formed therein.

In this embodiment, the vacuum adiabatic body can be manufacturedwithout using the supporting unit 30. In other words, the porousmaterial 33 can serve together as the radiation resistance sheet 32 andthe supporting unit 30.

FIG. 4 is a view showing various embodiments of the conductiveresistance sheets and peripheral parts thereof. Structures of theconductive resistance sheets are briefly illustrated in FIG. 2, but willbe understood in detail with reference to FIG. 4.

First, a conductive resistance sheet proposed in FIG. 4a may bepreferably applied to the main body-side vacuum adiabatic body.Specifically, the first and second plate members 10 and 20 are to besealed so as to vacuumize the interior of the vacuum adiabatic body. Inthis case, since the two plate members have different temperatures fromeach other, heat transfer may occur between the two plate members. Aconductive resistance sheet 60 is provided to prevent heat conductionbetween two different kinds of plate members.

The conductive resistance sheet 60 may be provided with sealing parts 61at which both ends of the conductive resistance sheet 60 are sealed todefining at least one portion of the wall for the third space andmaintain the vacuum state. The conductive resistance sheet 60 may beprovided as a thin foil in unit of micrometer so as to reduce the amountof heat conducted along the wall for the third space. The sealing parts61 are not limited to the welding parts, and may be provided through aprocess such as cocking. The conductive resistance sheet 60 may beprovided in a curved shape. Thus, a heat conduction distance of theconductive resistance sheet 60 is provided longer than the lineardistance of each plate member, so that the amount of heat conduction canbe further reduced.

A change in temperature occurs along the conductive resistance sheet 60.Therefore, in order to block heat transfer to the exterior of theconductive resistance sheet 60, a shielding part 62 may be provided atthe exterior of the conductive resistance sheet 60 such that anadiabatic action occurs. In other words, in the refrigerator, the secondplate member 20 has a high temperature and the first plate member 10 hasa low temperature. In addition, heat conduction from high temperature tolow temperature occurs in the conductive resistance sheet 60, and hencethe temperature of the conductive resistance sheet 60 is suddenlychanged. Therefore, when the conductive resistance sheet 60 is opened tothe exterior thereof, heat transfer through the opened place mayseriously occur. In order to reduce heat loss, the shielding part 62 isprovided at the exterior of the conductive resistance sheet 60. Forexample, when the conductive resistance sheet 60 is exposed to any oneof the low-temperature space and the high-temperature space, theconductive resistance sheet 60 does not serve as a conductive resistoras well as the exposed portion thereof, which is not preferable.

The shielding part 62 may be provided as a porous material contacting anouter surface of the conductive resistance sheet 60. The shielding part62 may be provided as an adiabatic structure, e.g., a separate gasket,which is placed at the exterior of the conductive resistance sheet 60.The shielding part 62 may be provided as a portion of the vacuumadiabatic body, which is provided at a position facing a correspondingconductive resistance sheet 60 when the main body-side vacuum adiabaticbody is closed with respect to the door-side vacuum adiabatic body. Inorder to reduce heat loss even when the main body and the door areopened, the shielding part 62 may be preferably provided as a porousmaterial or a separate adiabatic structure.

A conductive resistance sheet proposed in FIG. 4b may be preferablyapplied to the door-side vacuum adiabatic body. In FIG. 4b , portionsdifferent from those of FIG. 4a are described in detail, and the samedescription is applied to portions identical to those of FIG. 4a . Aside frame 70 is further provided at an outside of the conductiveresistance sheet 60. A part for sealing between the door and the mainbody, an exhaust port necessary for an exhaust process, a getter portfor vacuum maintenance, and the like may be placed on the side frame 70.This is because the mounting of parts is convenient in the mainbody-side vacuum adiabatic body, but the mounting positions of parts arelimited in the door-side vacuum adiabatic body.

In the door-side vacuum adiabatic body, it is difficult to place theconductive resistance sheet 60 at a front end portion of the vacuumspace part, i.e., a corner side portion of the vacuum space part. Thisis because, unlike the main body, a corner edge portion of the door isexposed to the exterior. More specifically, if the conductive resistancesheet 60 is placed at the front end portion of the vacuum space part,the corner edge portion of the door is exposed to the exterior, andhence there is a disadvantage in that a separate adiabatic part shouldbe configured so as to heat-insulate the conductive resistance sheet 60.

A conductive resistance sheet proposed in FIG. 4c may be preferablyinstalled in the pipeline passing through the vacuum space part. In FIG.4c , portions different from those of FIGS. 4a and 4b are described indetail, and the same description is applied to portions identical tothose of FIGS. 4a and 4b . A conductive resistance sheet having the sameshape as that of FIG. 4a , preferably, a wrinkled conductive resistancesheet (or folded conductive resistance sheet) 63 may be provided at aperipheral portion of the pipeline 64. Accordingly, a heat transfer pathcan be lengthened, and deformation caused by a pressure difference canbe prevented. In addition, a separate shielding part may be provided toimprove the adiabatic performance of the conductive resistance sheet.

A heat transfer path between the first and second plate members 10 and20 will be described with reference back to FIG. 4a . Heat passingthrough the vacuum adiabatic body may be divided into surface conductionheat {circle around (1)} conducted along a surface of the vacuumadiabatic body, more specifically, the conductive resistance sheet 60,supporter conduction heat {circle around (2)} conducted along thesupporting unit 30 provided inside the vacuum adiabatic body, gasconduction heat (or convection) {circle around (3)} conducted through aninternal gas in the vacuum space part, and radiation transfer heat{circle around (4)} transferred through the vacuum space part.

The transfer heat may be changed depending on various depending onvarious design dimensions. For example, the supporting unit may bechanged such that the first and second plate members 10 and 20 canendure a vacuum pressure without being deformed, the vacuum pressure maybe changed, the distance between the plate members may be changed, andthe length of the conductive resistance sheet may be changed. Thetransfer heat may be changed depending on a difference in temperaturebetween the spaces (the first and second spaces) respectively providedby the plate members. In the embodiment, a preferred configuration ofthe vacuum adiabatic body has been found by considering that its totalheat transfer amount is smaller than that of a typical adiabaticstructure formed by foaming polyurethane. In a typical refrigeratorincluding the adiabatic structure formed by foaming the polyurethane, aneffective heat transfer coefficient may be proposed as 19.6 mW/mK.

By performing a relative analysis on heat transfer amounts of the vacuumadiabatic body of the embodiment, a heat transfer amount by the gasconduction heat {circle around (3)} can become smallest. For example,the heat transfer amount by the gas conduction heat {circle around (3)}may be controlled to be equal to or smaller than 4% of the total heattransfer amount. A heat transfer amount by solid conduction heat definedas a sum of the surface conduction heat {circle around (1)} and thesupporter conduction heat {circle around (2)} is largest. For example,the heat transfer amount by the solid conduction heat may reach 75% ofthe total heat transfer amount. A heat transfer amount by the radiationtransfer heat {circle around (4)} is smaller than the heat transferamount by the solid conduction heat but larger than the heat transferamount of the gas conduction heat {circle around (3)}. For example, theheat transfer amount by the radiation transfer heat {circle around (4)}may occupy about 20% of the total heat transfer amount.

According to such a heat transfer distribution, effective heat transfercoefficients (eK: effective K) (W/mK) of the surface conduction heat{circle around (1)}, the supporter conduction heat {circle around (2)},the gas conduction heat {circle around (3)}, and the radiation transferheat {circle around (4)} may have an order of Equation 1.

eK _(solid conduction heat) >eK _(radiation transfer heat) >eK_(gas conduction heat)  Equation 1

Here, the effective heat transfer coefficient (eK) is a value that canbe measured using a shape and temperature differences of a targetproduct. The effective heat transfer coefficient (eK) is a value thatcan be obtained by measuring a total heat transfer amount and atemperature at least one portion at which heat is transferred. Forexample, a calorific value (W) is measured using a heating source thatcan be quantitatively measured in the refrigerator, a temperaturedistribution (K) of the door is measured using heat respectivelytransferred through a main body and an edge of the door of therefrigerator, and a path through which heat is transferred is calculatedas a conversion value (m), thereby evaluating an effective heat transfercoefficient.

The effective heat transfer coefficient (eK) of the entire vacuumadiabatic body is a value given by k=QL/AΔT. Here, Q denotes a calorificvalue (W) and may be obtained using a calorific value of a heater. Adenotes a sectional area (m2) of the vacuum adiabatic body, L denotes athickness (m) of the vacuum adiabatic body, and ΔT denotes a temperaturedifference.

For the surface conduction heat, a conductive calorific value may beobtained through a temperature difference (ΔT) between an entrance andan exit of the conductive resistance sheet 60 or 63, a sectional area(A) of the conductive resistance sheet, a length (L) of the conductiveresistance sheet, and a thermal conductivity (k) of the conductiveresistance sheet (the thermal conductivity of the conductive resistancesheet is a material property of a material and can be obtained inadvance). For the supporter conduction heat, a conductive calorificvalue may be obtained through a temperature difference (ΔT) between anentrance and an exit of the supporting unit 30, a sectional area (A) ofthe supporting unit, a length (L) of the supporting unit, and a thermalconductivity (k) of the supporting unit. Here, the thermal conductivityof the supporting unit is a material property of a material and can beobtained in advance. The sum of the gas conduction heat {circle around(3)}, and the radiation transfer heat {circle around (4)} may beobtained by subtracting the surface conduction heat and the supporterconduction heat from the heat transfer amount of the entire vacuumadiabatic body. A ratio of the gas conduction heat {circle around (3)},and the radiation transfer heat {circle around (4)} may be obtained byevaluating radiation transfer heat when no gas conduction heat exists byremarkably lowering a vacuum degree of the vacuum space part 50.

When a porous material is provided inside the vacuum space part 50,porous material conduction heat {circle around (5)} may be a sum of thesupporter conduction heat {circle around (5)} and the radiation transferheat {circle around (4)}. The porous material conduction heat {circlearound (5)} may be changed depending on various variables including akind, an amount, and the like of the porous material.

According to an embodiment, a temperature difference ΔT1 between ageometric center formed by adjacent bars 31 and a point at which each ofthe bars 31 is located may be preferably provided to be less than 0.5°C. Also, a temperature difference ΔT2 between the geometric centerformed by the adjacent bars 31 and an edge portion of the vacuumadiabatic body may be preferably provided to be less than 0.5° C. In thesecond plate member 20, a temperature difference between an averagetemperature of the second plate and a temperature at a point at which aheat transfer path passing through the conductive resistance sheet 60 or63 meets the second plate may be largest. For example, when the secondspace is a region hotter than the first space, the temperature at thepoint at which the heat transfer path passing through the conductiveresistance sheet meets the second plate member becomes lowest.Similarly, when the second space is a region colder than the firstspace, the temperature at the point at which the heat transfer pathpassing through the conductive resistance sheet meets the second platemember becomes highest.

This means that the amount of heat transferred through other pointsexcept the surface conduction heat passing through the conductiveresistance sheet should be controlled, and the entire heat transferamount satisfying the vacuum adiabatic body can be achieved only whenthe surface conduction heat occupies the largest heat transfer amount.To this end, a temperature variation of the conductive resistance sheetmay be controlled to be larger than that of the plate member.

Physical characteristics of the parts constituting the vacuum adiabaticbody will be described. In the vacuum adiabatic body, a force by vacuumpressure is applied to all of the parts. Therefore, a material having astrength (N/m2) of a certain level may be preferably used.

Under such circumferences, the plate members 10 and 20 and the sideframe 70 may be preferably made of a material having a sufficientstrength with which they are not damaged by even vacuum pressure. Forexample, when the number of bars 31 is decreased so as to limit thesupport conduction heat, deformation of the plate member occurs due tothe vacuum pressure, which may be a bad influence on the externalappearance of refrigerator. The radiation resistance sheet 32 may bepreferably made of a material that has a low emissivity and can beeasily subjected to thin film processing. Also, the radiation resistancesheet 32 is to ensure a strength high enough not to be deformed by anexternal impact. The supporting unit 30 is provided with a strength highenough to support the force by the vacuum pressure and endure anexternal impact, and is to have machinability. The conductive resistancesheet 60 may be preferably made of a material that has a thin plateshape and can endure the vacuum pressure.

In an embodiment, the plate member, the side frame, and the conductiveresistance sheet may be made of stainless materials having the samestrength. The radiation resistance sheet may be made of aluminum havinga weaker strength that the stainless materials. The supporting unit maybe made of resin having a weaker strength than the aluminum.

Unlike the strength from the point of view of materials, analysis fromthe point of view of stiffness is required. The stiffness (N/m) is aproperty that would not be easily deformed. Although the same materialis used, its stiffness may be changed depending on its shape. Theconductive resistance sheets 60 or 63 may be made of a material having aprescribed strength, but the stiffness of the material is preferably lowso as to increase heat resistance and minimize radiation heat as theconductive resistance sheet is uniformly spread without any roughnesswhen the vacuum pressure is applied. The radiation resistance sheet 32requires a stiffness of a certain level so as not to contact anotherpart due to deformation. Particularly, an edge portion of the radiationresistance sheet may generate conduction heat due to drooping caused bythe self-load of the radiation resistance sheet. Therefore, a stiffnessof a certain level is required. The supporting unit 30 requires astiffness high enough to endure a compressive stress from the platemember and an external impact.

In an embodiment, the plate member and the side frame may preferablyhave the highest stiffness so as to prevent deformation caused by thevacuum pressure. The supporting unit, particularly, the bar maypreferably have the second highest stiffness. The radiation resistancesheet may preferably have a stiffness that is lower than that of thesupporting unit but higher than that of the conductive resistance sheet.The conductive resistance sheet may be preferably made of a materialthat is easily deformed by the vacuum pressure and has the loweststiffness.

Even when the porous material 33 is filled in the vacuum space part 50,the conductive resistance sheet may preferably have the loweststiffness, and the plate member and the side frame may preferably havethe highest stiffness.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating in detail a vacuum adiabatic bodyaccording to an embodiment. FIG. 5 shows a view of a distal end regionof the vacuum space including a side part of the second plate member.The embodiment proposed in FIG. 5 may be preferably applied to thedoor-side vacuum adiabatic body, and the description of the vacuumadiabatic body shown in FIG. 4b among the vacuum adiabatic bodies shownin FIG. 4 may be applied to portions to which specific descriptions arenot provided.

Referring to FIG. 5, the vacuum adiabatic body may include a first platemember 10, a second plate member 20, a conductive resistance sheet 60,and a side frame 70, which are parts that enable a vacuum space part 50to be separated from an external atmospheric space.

The side frame 70 is formed in a bent shape, and may be provided suchthat the height of the side frame 70 is lowered at an outer portion,i.e., an edge portion when viewed from the entire shape of the vacuumadiabatic body. The side frame 70 may be provided in a shape in which agap part between the side frame 70 and the second plate member 20 isdivided into a portion having a high height h1 and a portion having alow height h2.

According to the above-described shape, the portion having the lowheight in the side frame 70 can secure a predetermined space as comparedwith other portions outside the vacuum adiabatic body. An additionmounting part (or addition mounting portion or surface) 80 in which anaddition such as an exhaust port 40 or a door hinge is mounted may beprovided due to a height difference of the side frame 70. Accordingly,it is possible to maximally secure the internal volume of a product suchas the refrigerator provided by the vacuum adiabatic body, to improve anadiabatic effect, and to sufficiently ensure functions of the product.

One end of the side frame 70 is fastened to the conductive resistancesheet 60 by a sealing part 61, and the other end of the side frame 70 isfastened to the second plate member 20 by an edge part 611 (or edgejoint, seal). The edge part 611 may be provided as a welding part. Thevacuum space part 50 extends up to the edge part 611, thereby improvingan adiabatic effect.

The side frame 70 provides a path through which solid conduction heatpassing through the conductive resistance sheet 60 passes. In therefrigerator, cold air (or coldness from contact with cold air, heattransfer) passing through the conductive resistance sheet 60 may betransferred to the edge part 611 that is a contact point between theside frame 70 and a side part (or side portion or second section) 202 ofthe second plate member 20. However, the cold air may not only bereduced by the conductive resistance sheet 60 but also sufficientlyresist while flowing along the side frame 70. Nevertheless, although dewmay be formed, the formed dew may be not be visible from the exterior.

Specifically, the second plate member 20 includes a front part (or frontportion or first section) 201 and the side part 202 bent with respect tothe front part 201. However, the side part 202 is not exposed to theexterior. Thus, although dew may be formed on the side part 202, a usercannot observe the formed dew with the naked eye, thereby improving auser's emotion. In addition, when the edge part 611 is provided as awelding part, a welding line inevitably generated due to heating is notviewed from the exterior, thereby improving a user's sense of beauty. Itcan be easily assumed that the side part 202 forms an outer wall of thevacuum space part 50.

Although the edge part 611 is provided at a corner portion of the frontpart 201 adjacent to the side part 202 in addition to the side part 202,the edge part may not be observed by the user. As another example, theedge part 611 may be provided to an edge portion of the second platemember 20, to enhance convenience of manufacturing while not beingobserved with the naked eye.

The formation of dew can be easily understood through a dew formingregion (or joint, contact point) 71 generated due to a decrease intemperature at a contact portion of the side frame 70 with the frontpart 201 in a comparative example proposed in FIG. 11.

In the refrigerator, the cold air passing through the conductiveresistance sheet 60 is transferred to the side frame 70, and hence theside frame 70 has a relatively higher temperature than the first platemember 10. Thus, when assuming that the entire region of the secondplate member 20 contacting the other ends of first and second bars 311and 312 has the same temperature, a temperature of the side frame 70contacting one end of the second bar 313 can be maintained higher thanthat of the first plate member 10 contacting one end of the first bar311. Accordingly, although lengths of the first and second bars 311 and313 are different from each other, heat conduction through the first bar311 can be maintained equally to that through the second bar 313.According to an experiment, it has been found that a second vacuum spacepart (or second vacuum space) 502 having a height of 1 to 2 mm canobtain a sufficient adiabatic effect equal to that of a first vacuumspace part (or first vacuum space) 501 having a height of 10 to 20 mm.

The vacuum space part 50 includes the first vacuum space part 501 ofwhich height is h1 and the second vacuum space part 502 of which heightis h2 smaller than h1. The first and second vacuum space parts 501 and502 can communicate with each other in a vacuum state. Accordingly, itis possible to reduce inconvenience of a manufacturing process in whicha vacuum space part is separately formed.

A second support plate 352 may be provided to extend inside the secondvacuum space part 502. In addition, the second bar 312 having a lowerheight than the first bar 311 may be provided to the second supportplate 352. Thus, the gap of the second vacuum space part 502 can bemaintained by the second bar 312. The second bar 312 may be provided asa single body with the second support plate 352. Since the heights ofthe first and second vacuum space parts 501 and 502 are different fromeach other, a first support plate 351 may not extend to the secondvacuum space part 502. However, the present disclosure is not limitedthereto, and the first support plate 351 may extend to the second vacuumspace part 502. Although the first support plate 351 does not extend tothe second vacuum space part 502, the flow of heat conducted from thefirst plate member 10 to the side frame 70 is resisted by the conductiveresistance sheet 60, and thus conduction heat through the second bar 312can obtain an equal effect of heat resistance as compared with heatconduction through the first bar 311.

As already described above, the conductive resistance sheet 60 has onepurpose to resist heat transfer from the first plate member 10.Therefore, a rapid change in temperature occurs in the conductiveresistance sheet 60 along the direction of the heat transfer. It hasbeen described that the shielding part (or shield) 62 is provided toblock heat transferred to the outside of the vacuum adiabatic body,corresponding to the rapid change in temperature. As the vacuum spacepart 50 is provided, heat transferred to the inside of the vacuumadiabatic body through the conductive resistance sheet 60 can obtain anadiabatic effect with respect to convection and solid conduction heat,but is weak against heat transfer caused by radiation and gasconduction. In order to solve such a problem, a radiation resistancesheet 32 may be placed even under a lower side of the conductiveresistance sheet 60.

Specifically, the radiation resistance sheet 32 may include first,second, and third radiation resistance sheets 321, 322, and 323sequentially provided in a direction toward the second support plate 352from the first support plate 351. The first radiation resistance sheet321 may extend up to the lower side of the conductive resistance sheet60 by passing through an end portion of the first support plate 351. Thesecond radiation resistance sheet 322 may extend outward by w2 ascompared with the first radiation resistance sheet 321. The thirdradiation resistance sheet 323 may extend outward by w1 as compared withthe second radiation resistance sheet 322.

According to such a configuration, the radiation resistance sheet 32provided as a thin plate may be deformed by an external impact and load.This is because, if any deformed radiation resistance sheet contactsanother adjacent radiation resistance sheet or the conductive resistancesheet 60, direct heat conduction occurs, and therefore, a large amountof adiabatic loss occurs. Therefore, the first radiation resistancesheet 321 may extend not to reach the center of the conductiveresistance sheet 60 even when a predetermined deformation occurs in thefirst radiation resistance sheet 321. Since it is less likely that thesecond radiation resistance sheet 322 will contact the conductiveresistance sheet 60, the second radiation resistance sheet 322 mayextend further outward by passing through the center of the conductiveresistance sheet 60. However, since it is likely that the secondradiation resistance sheet 322 will contact another adjacent radiationresistance sheet, a length of the second radiation resistance sheet 322extending from the first bar 311 is preferably limited to 10 to 15 mmwhen the radiation resistance sheet is an aluminum sheet having athickness of 0.3 to 0.4 mm. The third radiation resistance sheet 323 mayextend outward by w1 as compared with the second radiation resistancesheet 322. This is because the third radiation resistance sheet 323 issupported by the second support plate 352.

In FIG. 5, it is illustrated that the radiation resistance sheet 32 doesnot extend inside the second vacuum space part 502. However, the presentdisclosure is not limited thereto, and the third radiation resistancesheet 323 of which at least one portion is provided to contact thesecond support plate 352 may extend up to the inside of the secondvacuum space part 502, thereby reducing radiation conduction heat.

A mounting end part 101 is provided at a corner of the first platemember 10, and a rib 102 is provided in the supporting unit 30. As themounting end part 101 is guided by the rib 102, the first plate member10 and the supporting unit 30 can be placed at accurate positions,respectively. Thus, it is possible to improve fastening accuracy betweenparts.

FIG. 6 is a view a correlation between the supporting unit and the firstplate member, which illustrates any one edge portion.

Referring to FIG. 6, there may be provided a structure in which the rib102 provided to the second support plate 352 and the mounting end part(or protrusion, tab) 101 provided to the first plate member 10 contacteach other. Thus, when the first plate member 10 is fastened to thesupporting unit 30 or when the supporting unit 30 is fastened to thefirst plate member 10, a position between the first plate member 10 andthe supporting unit 30 can be accurately placed. The mounting end part101 and the rib 102 have structures corresponding to each other, andtheir sizes and numbers may be increased/decreased depending on sizes ofthe first plate member 10 and the supporting unit 30.

The second bar 312 having a lower height than the first bar 311 isprovided at an edge portion of the second support plate 352 provided ingrid shape. Thus, it is possible to maintain the gap of the secondvacuum space part 502.

FIG. 7 is a view showing an experimental result obtained by comparingthe vacuum adiabatic body provided in FIG. 5 and the vacuum adiabaticbody provided in FIG. 11.

Referring to FIG. 7, when the vacuum adiabatic bodies were used for thedoor of the refrigerator, and the refrigerator performed a standardoperation, temperatures at edge portions of the vacuum adiabatic bodieswere measured. As a result obtained by performing an experiment, whentypical foaming urethane is used, a temperature at a top side Top of thevacuum adiabatic body was 2.2° C., temperatures at both sides Mid havinga middle height of the vacuum adiabatic body were 1.4° C., a temperatureat a bottom side Bottom of the vacuum adiabatic body was 1.3° C., and atemperature at a center Center of the vacuum adiabatic body was 0.8° C.In the comparative example proposed in FIG. 11, a temperature at a topside Top of the vacuum adiabatic body was 1.0° C., temperatures at bothsides Mid having a middle height of the vacuum adiabatic body were −0.3°C., a temperature at a bottom side Bottom of the vacuum adiabatic bodywas −0.5° C., and a temperature at a center Center of the vacuumadiabatic body was 1.3° C. According to the comparative example, dew maybe formed at the top side Top, both the sides Middle having the middleheight, and the bottom side Bottom. Particularly, it can be seen thatdew may be formed at both the sides Middle having the middle height andthe bottom side Bottom in a condition that an external air temperatureis 25° C. and a relative humidity is 87% due to a low temperature belowzero.

On the other hand, in the embodiment, a temperature at a top side Top ofthe vacuum adiabatic body was 2.4° C., temperatures at both sides Midhaving a middle height of the vacuum adiabatic body were 1.3° C., atemperature at a bottom side Bottom of the vacuum adiabatic body was1.2° C., and a temperature at a center Center of the vacuum adiabaticbody was 1.3° C. According to the embodiment, it is possible to obtain abetter effect as compared with when the typical foaming urethane isused, and it can be seen that the formation of dew on a front surface ofthe door is prevented.

Hereinafter, a vacuum pressure preferably determined depending on aninternal state of the vacuum adiabatic body. As already described above,a vacuum pressure is to be maintained inside the vacuum adiabatic bodyso as to reduce heat transfer. At this time, it will be easily expectedthat the vacuum pressure is preferably maintained as low as possible soas to reduce the heat transfer.

The vacuum space part may resist the heat transfer by applying only thesupporting unit 30. Alternatively, the porous material 33 may be filledtogether with the supporting unit in the vacuum space part 50 to resistthe heat transfer. Alternatively, the vacuum space part may resist theheat transfer not by applying the supporting unit but by applying theporous material 33.

The case where only the supporting unit is applied will be described.

FIG. 8 illustrates graphs showing changes in adiabatic performance andchanges in gas conductivity with respect to vacuum pressures by applyinga simulation.

Referring to FIG. 8, it can be seen that, as the vacuum pressure isdecreased, i.e., as the vacuum degree is increased, a heat load in thecase of only the main body (Graph 1) or in the case where the main bodyand the door are joined together (Graph 2) is decreased as compared withthat in the case of the typical product formed by foaming polyurethane,thereby improving the adiabatic performance. However, it can be seenthat the degree of improvement of the adiabatic performance is graduallylowered. Also, it can be seen that, as the vacuum pressure is decreased,the gas conductivity (Graph 3) is decreased. However, it can be seenthat, although the vacuum pressure is decreased, the ratio at which theadiabatic performance and the gas conductivity are improved is graduallylowered. Therefore, it is preferable that the vacuum pressure isdecreased as low as possible. However, it takes long time to obtainexcessive vacuum pressure, and much cost is consumed due to excessiveuse of a getter. In the embodiment, an optimal vacuum pressure isproposed from the above-described point of view.

FIG. 9 illustrates graphs obtained by observing, over time and pressure,a process of exhausting the interior of the vacuum adiabatic body whenthe supporting unit is used.

Referring to FIG. 9, in order to create the vacuum space part 50 to bein the vacuum state, a gas in the vacuum space part 50 is exhausted by avacuum pump while evaporating a latent gas remaining in the parts of thevacuum space part 50 through baking. However, if the vacuum pressurereaches a certain level or more, there exists a point at which the levelof the vacuum pressure is not increased any more (Δt1). After that, thegetter is activated by disconnecting the vacuum space part 50 from thevacuum pump and applying heat to the vacuum space part 50 (Δt2). If thegetter is activated, the pressure in the vacuum space part 50 isdecreased for a certain period of time, but then normalized to maintaina vacuum pressure of a certain level. The vacuum pressure that maintainsthe certain level after the activation of the getter is approximately1.8×10−6 Torr.

In the embodiment, a point at which the vacuum pressure is notsubstantially decreased any more even though the gas is exhausted byoperating the vacuum pump is set to the lowest limit of the vacuumpressure used in the vacuum adiabatic body, thereby setting the minimuminternal pressure of the vacuum space part 50 to 1.8×10−6 Torr.

FIG. 10 illustrates graphs obtained by comparing vacuum pressures andgas conductivities.

Referring to FIG. 10, gas conductivities with respect to vacuumpressures depending on sizes of a gap in the vacuum space part 50 arerepresented as graphs of effective heat transfer coefficients (eK).Effective heat transfer coefficients (eK) were measured when the gap inthe vacuum space part 50 has three sizes of 2.76 mm, 6.5 mm, and 12.5mm. The gap in the vacuum space part 50 is defined as follows. When theradiation resistance sheet 32 exists inside vacuum space part 50, thegap is a distance between the radiation resistance sheet 32 and theplate member adjacent thereto. When the radiation resistance sheet 32does not exist inside vacuum space part 50, the gap is a distancebetween the first and second plate members.

It can be seen that, since the size of the gap is small at a pointcorresponding to a typical effective heat transfer coefficient of 0.0196W/mK, which is provided to a adiabatic material formed by foamingpolyurethane, the vacuum pressure is 2.65×10−1 Torr even when the sizeof the gap is 2.76 mm. Meanwhile, it can be seen that the point at whichreduction in adiabatic effect caused by gas conduction heat is saturatedeven though the vacuum pressure is decreased is a point at which thevacuum pressure is approximately 4.5×10−3 Torr. The vacuum pressure of4.5×10−3 Torr can be defined as the point at which the reduction inadiabatic effect caused by gas conduction heat is saturated. Also, whenthe effective heat transfer coefficient is 0.1 W/mK, the vacuum pressureis 1.2×10−2 Torr.

When the vacuum space part 50 is not provided with the supporting unitbut provided with the porous material, the size of the gap ranges from afew micrometers to a few hundreds of micrometers. In this case, theamount of radiation heat transfer is small due to the porous materialeven when the vacuum pressure is relatively high, i.e., when the vacuumdegree is low. Therefore, an appropriate vacuum pump is used to adjustthe vacuum pressure. The vacuum pressure appropriate to thecorresponding vacuum pump is approximately 2.0×10−4 Torr. Also, thevacuum pressure at the point at which the reduction in adiabatic effectcaused by gas conduction heat is saturated is approximately 4.7×10−2Torr. Also, the pressure where the reduction in adiabatic effect causedby gas conduction heat reaches the typical effective heat transfercoefficient of 0.0196 W/mK is 730 Torr.

When the supporting unit and the porous material are provided togetherin the vacuum space part, a vacuum pressure may be created and used,which is middle between the vacuum pressure when only the supportingunit is used and the vacuum pressure when only the porous material isused.

In the description of the present disclosure, a part for performing thesame action in each embodiment of the vacuum adiabatic body may beapplied to another embodiment by properly changing the shape ordimension of the other embodiment. Accordingly, still another embodimentcan be easily proposed. For example, in the detailed description, in thecase of a vacuum adiabatic body suitable as a door-side vacuum adiabaticbody, the vacuum adiabatic body may be applied as a main body-sidevacuum adiabatic body by properly changing the shape and configurationof a vacuum adiabatic body.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number ofillustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerousother modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled inthe art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles ofthis disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modificationsare possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subjectcombination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawingsand the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications inthe component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also beapparent to those skilled in the art.

The vacuum adiabatic body proposed in the present disclosure may bepreferably applied to refrigerators. However, the application of thevacuum adiabatic body is not limited to the refrigerators, and may beapplied in various apparatuses such as cryogenic refrigeratingapparatuses, heating apparatuses, and ventilation apparatuses.

According to the present disclosure, the vacuum adiabatic body can beindustrially applied to various adiabatic apparatuses. The adiabaticeffect can be enhanced, so that it is possible to improve energy useefficiency and to increase the effective volume of an apparatus.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vacuum adiabatic body comprising: a first plateconfigured to have a first temperature; a second plate configured tohave a second temperature different than the first temperature; and aseal that seals the first plate and the second plate to provide an innerspace, the inner space to be provided in a vacuum state, wherein thevacuum adiabatic body is configured to include a main portion, a sideportion, a rear portion and a front portion, wherein the inner space isprovided to extend from the main portion of the vacuum adiabatic body tothe side portion of the vacuum adiabatic body.
 2. The vacuum adiabaticbody according to claim 1, wherein the second plate includes a frontpart and a side part, and the side portion of the vacuum adiabatic bodyincludes the side part of the second plate.
 3. The vacuum adiabatic bodyaccording to claim 2, wherein the front portion of the vacuum adiabaticbody includes the front part of the second plate.
 4. The vacuumadiabatic body according to claim 2, wherein the second plate includesan edge part at an end of the side part, and the inner space extends tothe edge part to improve an adiabatic effect.
 5. The vacuum adiabaticbody according to claim 3, wherein the inner space includes a firstvacuum space and a second vacuum space, the first vacuum space beingprovided more distant from the side portion of the vacuum adiabatic bodythan the second vacuum space.
 6. The vacuum adiabatic body according toclaim 5, wherein the first vacuum space is disposed to face the frontportion of the vacuum adiabatic body, and the second vacuum space isdisposed to face the front portion of the vacuum adiabatic body and toface the side portion of the vacuum adiabatic body.
 7. The vacuumadiabatic body according to claim 5, wherein a height of the firstvacuum space is greater than a height of the second vacuum space.
 8. Thevacuum adiabatic body according to claim 5, wherein the first vacuumspace has a greater degree of insulation than the second vacuum space.9. The vacuum adiabatic body according to claim 5, comprising anaddition mounting portion, the addition mounting portion is providedoutside of the second vacuum space.
 10. The vacuum adiabatic bodyaccording to claim 5, comprising a side frame including a side portionextending from the rear portion of the vacuum adiabatic body toward thefront portion of the vacuum adiabatic body.
 11. The vacuum adiabaticbody according to claim 5, wherein the side frame has a first surface toface the inner space and a second surface to face an outside of theinner space.
 12. The vacuum adiabatic body according to claim 5,comprising a side frame including a first portion extending from themain portion of the vacuum adiabatic body toward the side portion of thevacuum adiabatic body.
 13. The vacuum adiabatic body according to claim12, wherein the side frame includes a second portion to face the secondvacuum space, and the first portion is to face the first vacuum space.14. A vacuum adiabatic body comprising: a first plate configured to havea first temperature; a second plate configured to have a secondtemperature different than the first temperature; a seal that seals thefirst plate and the second plate to provide an inner space, the innerspace to be provided in a vacuum state; and a side frame defining atleast one portion of the wall for the inner space, the side frameincluding a first portion to face the second plate, wherein the vacuumadiabatic body has a heat transfer path between the first plate andsecond plate, the heat transfer path passes through the side frame, andwherein the vacuum adiabatic body is configured to include a mainportion, a side portion, a rear portion and a front portion, and thefirst portion of the side frame is spaced apart from the front portionof the vacuum adiabatic body.
 15. The vacuum adiabatic body according toclaim 14, wherein the second plate include a front part and a side part,the front portion of the vacuum adiabatic body includes the front partof the second plate.
 16. The vacuum adiabatic body according to claim15, wherein the side portion of the vacuum adiabatic body includes theside part of the second plate.
 17. The vacuum adiabatic body accordingto claim 14, wherein the side frame includes a second portion thatextends from the rear portion of the vacuum adiabatic body toward thefront portion of the vacuum adiabatic body, and configured such that aheat transfer via the side frame toward the front portion of the vacuumadiabatic body can be reduced.
 18. The vacuum adiabatic body accordingto claim 14, wherein the first portion of the side frame extends fromthe main portion of the vacuum adiabatic body toward the side portion ofthe vacuum adiabatic body, and configured such that a heat transfer viathe side frame toward the front portion of the vacuum adiabatic body canbe reduced.
 19. The vacuum adiabatic body according to claim 18, whereinboth the first portion and the second portion is spaced apart from thefront portion of the vacuum adiabatic body.
 20. A vacuum adiabatic bodycomprising: a first plate configured to have a first temperature; asecond plate configured to have a second temperature different than thefirst temperature; a seal that seals the first plate and the secondplate to provide an inner space, the inner space to be provided in avacuum state; and a side frame defining at least one portion of theinner space, wherein the vacuum adiabatic body has a heat transfer pathbetween the first plate and second plate, the heat transfer path isconfigured to pass through the side frame, and wherein the vacuumadiabatic body is configured to include a main portion, a side portion,a rear portion and a front portion, and the side frame includes aportion configured to contact the side portion of the vacuum adiabaticbody.
 21. The vacuum adiabatic body according to claim 20, wherein thesecond plate includes a front part and a side part, the front portion ofthe vacuum adiabatic body includes the front part of the second plate.22. The vacuum adiabatic body according to claim 21, wherein the sideportion of the vacuum adiabatic body includes the side part of thesecond plate.
 23. The vacuum adiabatic body according to claim 20,wherein the portion of the side frame extends from the main portion ofthe vacuum adiabatic body toward the side portion of the vacuumadiabatic body, and is configured such that a heat transfer via the sideframe toward the front portion of the vacuum adiabatic body can bereduced.